When discussing the ground dimensions and conditions of the Asian Games, Gaikwad reassures that his players are well-prepared and adaptable. He mentions that they have experienced similar ground dimensions throughout their careers, making them comfortable and ready for the challenge.

As the Indian men’s cricket team embarks on their Asian Games journey, they carry a blend of inspiration from cricketing legends and a unique leadership style. They aim not only to win but also to represent their nation with pride on this prestigious international stage.

This year held a significance that transcended the role of being a mere host for the tournament; it became a defining moment as they etched their name into the annals of cricket history with their second championship win.

The 2011 victory marked India’s second title in the ODI World Cup, with their initial win dating back to 1983 when the iconic Kapil Dev led them to their maiden championship.

However, despite the jubilation following the 2011 victory, subsequent campaigns proved elusive in delivering additional titles, leaving India yearning for more silverware. On the other end of the spectrum, Australia has unequivocally cemented its reputation as a formidable force in the history of the ODI World Cup, proudly displaying an impressive tally of five championship titles in their name. Two of these coveted championships were clinched under the leadership of the legendary Ricky Ponting.

Turning our attention to the inaugural World Cup winners, West Indies, they indeed secured another title in a subsequent edition but have not tasted the sweet nectar of championship victory since their triumphant campaign in 1979. Meanwhile, among the cricketing nations, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and England each have their ODI World Cup glory, a single victory to cherish in the rich tapestry of cricketing history.

With the 13th edition of the World Cup, cricket lovers across the globe are buzzing with anticipation. Their curiosity is piqued as they eagerly await the unveiling of records and statistics from this illustrious event. In that spirit, presented below is a comprehensive compilation of all the World Cup-winning teams, their captains, the standout Players of the Match in the final showdowns, and the exceptional Players of the Series who have indelibly marked their place on cricket’s grandest stage.

Rohit Sharma is in excellent form and has a golden opportunity to set new records in the upcoming World Cup.

Currently, Rohit Sharma shares the record for the most centuries in World Cup history with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, both having scored six centuries. Rohit’s World Cup journey spans two editions, one in 2015 and another in 2019. A single century in the 2023 World Cup would make him the sole record-holder, unless David Warner, with four World Cup hundreds to his name, surpasses him.

Sachin Tendulkar currently holds the record for the most runs in a single World Cup season. He accumulated 673 runs in the 2003 World Cup, including one century and six fifties. In the previous World Cup, Rohit Sharma was the tournament’s highest run-scorer, amassing 648 runs, including five centuries, in just nine innings. With nine league matches in the 2023 World Cup, Rohit has a chance to eclipse Sachin’s record.

In the 2019 World Cup, Eoin Morgan, leading the England team, struck 22 sixes, the most by any captain in a single season of the World Cup. Given Rohit Sharma’s prowess in hitting sixes and his new role as the captain of the Indian team, he stands a good chance of breaking this record, with Chris Gayle being the only player ahead of him in the list of most sixes in international cricket.

Rohit Sharma, who recently surpassed 10,000 ODI runs, is known for his ability to smash sixes, not only in limited-overs cricket but also in red-ball cricket. Chris Gayle currently holds the record for the most international sixes with 553. Rohit Sharma is hot on his heels with 551 sixes and needs just three more to claim this record.

With India hosting the 2023 World Cup, Rohit Sharma and the team have an excellent opportunity to secure this record. Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni are the only Indian captains to have won the ODI World Cup. If Rohit leads the team to victory, he will join this exclusive club of captains, making it a dream come true for millions of Indian cricket fans.

In a heartwarming twist, MS Dhoni was spotted participating in a procession celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi 2023. This unexpected sight has quickly become the talk of the town, with the video of Dhoni’s participation going viral.

As the anticipation for the Cricket World Cup builds, Rohit Sharma and his team bear the hopes of a nation. India has not clinched an ICC event since 2013, making the Cricket World Cup on home soil a golden opportunity to end that drought. Playing on home turf comes with immense pressure, and former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, a Cricket World Cup winner himself, shared some valuable advice for the Indian cricket team.

Responding to a question about offering guidance to young talents like Gill and Ishan Kishan, who will be experiencing their first ODI World Cup at home, Gilchrist emphasized the importance of tapping into the wisdom of cricketing legends.

“I can’t claim to know what it is like to be an Indian player, playing in India (laughs). It’s always intriguing. If I would be in the Indian hierarchy, I would be tapping into guys like Sachin (Tendulkar), MS (Dhoni) to come in and spend time with the group if they are available, and pass on all their experience,” he stated.

“I would have tried to get guys like Yuvraj (Singh), who had so much going on in his life during that 2011 tournament, and ask them to speak openly about it.

Virat, obviously, was part of that team without being a feature member of the team at that time. I would be drawing on that experience of playing a home World Cup and try to find out how they did it. If you can keep that external noise quiet, it allows you to play your best cricket.”

India’s final preparations before the Cricket World Cup at home include a three-match ODI series against Australia starting on September 22. Following this, they will engage in WC warm-up games against England on September 30 and the Netherlands on October 3. India will commence their Cricket World Cup campaign on October 8 against Australia in Chennai.

The initial photo was shared by Hitesh Sanghvi, an entrepreneur based in Dubai, who is known to be a friend of Dhoni. In fact, when Dhoni attended the Alcaraz vs. Zverev quarter-final at the US Open, Sanghvi accompanied him.

Sanghvi captioned the image on Instagram: “Golf with @mahi7781, @realdonaldtrump and @rajiv.knack…….thank you Mr. President for hosting us.”

MS Dhoni’s presence has captivated the United States, with videos of his adventures in the country becoming viral sensations. While it may be some time before cricket fans witness Dhoni back in action on the field, his ability to captivate and connect with fans in various settings continues to be a fascinating spectacle.

On Tuesday, in front of an eager home crowd longing to witness M.S. Dhoni’s triumph in the Indian Premier League once more, the Chennai Super Kings will be hosting the Gujarat Titans. This match holds particular significance as it may mark Dhoni’s farewell week to cricket.

Anticipating a packed house, Chennai’s M.A. Chidambaram Stadium is set to be abuzz with excitement, with all eyes fixed on the 41-year-old Dhoni. As four-time champions, Chennai will be hosting table-toppers Gujarat in the first playoff of this season’s IPL. The victorious team secures a spot in Sunday’s final, while the defeated team proceeds to another playoff match. Throughout the tournament, fans have flocked to stadiums in large numbers to witness the Chennai skipper and former India captain, Dhoni, in action. Speculation has been rife that Dhoni will retire from cricket at the conclusion of this campaign, although he has not explicitly confirmed his intentions.

In the current season, Dhoni has showcased his adaptability by reinventing himself as a lower-order batsman, often entering the game at number eight. This strategic adjustment has added an intriguing dimension to his performance. It will undoubtedly be an enthralling encounter as the Chennai Super Kings take on the Gujarat Titans, with the outcome potentially influencing Dhoni’s farewell journey in the world of cricket.

After his impactful performance of scoring a quick 20 runs off just nine balls in a late cameo that aided Chennai’s victory over Delhi earlier this month, he expressed, “This is precisely my role. I have made it clear to my team that this is what I’m expected to do. Avoid making me run excessively, and it has proven successful.”

The impending farewell of Dhoni serves as one of the intriguing sub-plots as the final week of the Twenty20 extravaganza unfolds. Meanwhile, their opponents Gujarat have continued their fairy tale journey, progressing from winning the championship in their debut season last year to once again securing a place in the playoffs.

Reflecting on their progress, skipper Hardik Pandya remarked, “Last year was a successful campaign where everything fell into place. This year presented us with new challenges, and we anticipated strong competition. The boys exhibited tremendous character.”
Opener Shubman Gill has been at the forefront, accumulating an impressive 680 runs, second only to Faf du Plessis of Bangalore, who has amassed 730 runs, making him a strong contender for the Orange Cap as the tournament’s leading scorer. Gill’s recent back-to-back centuries have further reinforced his match-winning contributions for a team that emerged victorious in 10 out of their 14 group matches.

If Gujarat qualifies for the final, they will once again enjoy the advantage of playing at the expansive 132,000-capacity stadium in Ahmedabad, which adds to their home advantage.

Green’s Price Tag Justified

In an upcoming playoff clash, the five-time champions Mumbai Indians, led by Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, will face the Lucknow Super Giants on Wednesday. The victorious team from this match will then contend against the loser of the Chennai-Gujarat encounter on Friday, vying for a place in Sunday’s final at the world’s largest cricket stadium.

Mumbai Indians secured their spot in the playoffs thanks to an impressive performance against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday, where Australian all-rounder Cameron Green played a pivotal role. Green’s remarkable unbeaten century, achieved in just 47 balls, coupled with Rohit’s solid knock of 56, propelled Mumbai to a resounding victory while chasing a target of 201. This outstanding display has suddenly elevated the IPL heavyweights, who clinched the championship in 2020, as favorites in the knockout clash against Lucknow.

During this season’s auction, the 23-year-old Green became the second-most expensive player in IPL history, with Mumbai Indians acquiring him for a staggering $2.11 million. His exceptional performance has undoubtedly justified the high price tag associated with his acquisition.

Following Chennai Super Kings’ victory over Delhi Capitals by 77 runs, securing their spot in the playoffs, concerns have arisen regarding the fitness of CSK captain MS Dhoni. It is no secret that Dhoni has been struggling with his knee, which has affected his running between the wickets. CSK coach Michael Hussey has now provided an update on Dhoni’s injury, confirming that he is not fully fit.

During the mid-innings break at Arun Jaitley stadium, Hussey stated, “His knee isn’t 100 percent at the moment, so he is managing himself, coming into bat in the last 2-3 overs. He is not able to run as well as he did in his heydays, but he is doing the right things and hitting the ball really well.”

Despite Dhoni’s injury concerns, CSK concluded their 14-match league campaign with 17 points, securing a place in the last four. In their final league game, opener Devon Conway played a brilliant knock of 87 runs off just 51 balls, while Ruturaj Gaikwad smashed 79 runs off 50 deliveries, propelling CSK to a strong total of 223/3.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is playing with an injury in the current season of IPL. There has been speculation about his retirement for three years. Dhoni has not said anything yet. The fear of Dhoni’s retirement increased after the loss to Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday. In this situation, the Chennai authorities posted a video message about Dhoni’s future.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is playing with an injury in the current season of IPL. There has been speculation about his retirement for three years. Dhoni has not said anything yet. The fear of Dhoni’s retirement increased after the loss to Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday. In this situation, the Chennai authorities posted a video message about Dhoni’s future.

Chennai cricketers thanked the audience in a novel way as it was the last match of Chennai’s group stage yesterday. All the players of the team walk along the side of the field wearing special jerseys with messages of thanks to the spectators. Several cricketers like Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, and Moeen Ali had a racket in their hands. Take the tennis ball in the other hand and send it towards the gallery with the racket. Posters were also seen in the hands of some cricketers thanking the audience.